BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 94, 18 October 1910, Page 7

BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, — "E.C.," in your issue of the 13th just., under the above heading, wrote to extol the New South Wales religious j instruction in schools system. While ! saying that it provides for non-sectarian teachings the ministers not giving rehpiou 1 ' instruction in the schoolroom proper, but in a classroom to which those ctuldren who are in the habit of receiving such instruction are removed, "E.C." concludes: — "The very fact that this syetem has been m •existence m New South Wales for nearly half-a-century i 8 the plainest proof that the people are batisfied with it." I find from the Official History of New South- Wake (p. 600) that Sir H. Parkes did not introduce the Bill to allow of this teaching by ministers in the State schools at stated times until the 12th November, 1879, and that on 13th April, 1880, it was read a third time in the Council, and sent to the Assembly, where the "Council's amendments wer« agreed to, assent being reported on 21st April, 1880, so that "E.C.'s" nearly nalf-c-century is another exaggeration of Bible-in-schools or instruction-in-schools supporters' doings. Save our children, I say, from such influences by keeping to plain facts. I also find that the Official Year Book. 1908-9 (p. 75) states : — "The continuance of two types of schools, each receiving aid from the State, proved most unsatisfactory, and a public agitatian, extenumg over several years, culminated in the year 1880 with the enactment of the present law," and at p. 88 it says : — "The advantages of the provision permitting religious instruction to Be given to scholars in State schools has not been used to a very great extent by the various denominations." Later, the Year Book adds : — "Taking into consideration the number of schools in existence, and the time during which they were "open, it is found that the visits by all denominations, taken together, represented only a little more than 10 per cent, of lac opportunities afforded. — I am. etc., B. WIGHTMAN. 15th October, 1910.

In future the Te Aro Baths will bo open for bathers between the- hours of noon and 2 p.m. Salvation. Army -,elf-denial contributions all over N-e-w Zealand are still being collected. Results are expected to be received by Friday, 28thj from most of the officers m various parts of the Dominion, and are likely to be very substantial, thanks to the thoroughly well organi&eH system of collection adopted by the Army. The Defence Department warns shipping masters and owners of yachts and fishing boats that there will be service practices for the heavy guns at Fort Kelburne, Ngahauranga, between 3 and 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon next, 22nd October. Firing will also be carried out in the early morning between 5 and 6.15 o'clock during the time the Betone Naval Artillery is in camp (22nd October to sth November) The danger area will l>o tht ,-rea included in flic boundary formed by Fc/t Kelburne, Somes Island, and Fort Ballanoe. Notice is also given that two ba-rrel targets will be anchored about I'OO yards in front of Fort Kelburne .during the holding of the camp.